STEM Greenhouse

We are so thankful for partners like LMCU who are willing to invest in our students! Also, loving their capture of this year's Career Exploration Day for our Sankofa STEM Academy!

The University of Michigan Health-West Makabila employee resource group and Office for Health Equity and Inclusion, in partnership with University of Michigan Health-Sparrow and STEM Greenhouse, recently hosted Sankofa STEM middle school students for an immersive day in healthcare career exploration. The event featured hands-on activities like CPR and IV demonstrations, heart monitoring, vein finding, hand hygiene, fitness and healthy lifestyle challenges. Students also explored various career pathways in medicine, including physician, advance practice providers, nursing, operations and business roles. Our volunteers and speakers introduced the students to inspiring Black clinicians and healthcare professionals, providing valuable insights and inspiration. Thank you to everyone who made this day possible. #HailToTheCaregivers

Did you know July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month? This is a time to address the unique mental health challenges faced by BIPOC communities due to systemic inequalities and cultural stigmas that create barriers to access. At STEM Greenhouse, we recognize the importance of mental health and the necessity of rest. Our team will be out of the office until August 4th to recharge and rejuvenate. We understand that the work continues even while we take this break, and assure you that all prior commitments will be honored. We appreciate your patience with any communication delays during this period. Prioritizing mental health is vital for everyone, and not just in lipservice. Please take the time necessary to care for yourself as you care for others. And, let's continue to advocate for a more inclusive and supportive world.

Yesterday, 30 professionals from different sectors, industries, companies, and positions took the morning to invest in our youth and discuss their career journeys, the details of their jobs, and their companies. Thank you to the representatives from Booking.com, CARNEVALE, Comerica Bank, Corewell Health, Holland Family Dentistry, P.C., LMCU, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, MVP Metro Club, Pridgeon & Clay, Steelcase, and more who showed up to Sankofa STEM Academy's first ever Career Exploration Day at Aquinas College - Grand Rapids! Experiences like these are invaluable for our students as they connect their interests and passions with mentors and experts actively working in the field.

We're officially in the middle of summer break! Know someone with middle schoolers who drive them batty? Save summer by sharing these ideas with them! This resource is jam-packed with activities that won't break the bank and even includes a bonus guide: 72 Free STEM Learning Websites for Middle School Students. There are often many summer events, activities, and resources for young kiddos, but from someone who's been there -- keeping a tween engaged and entertained is not for the faint of heart! Help turn those "I'm bored" moments into awesome learning adventures., and don't forget to pass it along to anyone who could use a little summer sanity! #stemeducation #stemlearning #educationalequity #freeresources

Last week, our Sankofa STEM Greenhouse students embarked on an exciting research cruise with Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute. They collected local water samples, tested and analyzed data in the onboard lab, and uncovered secrets of local ecosystems through PONAR dredging. After their scientific adventure, they headed to PJ Hoffmaster State Park for even more fun. There, they played team-building and survival games, learned from speakers from Carlos Calderon with West Michigan Environmental Action Council and Brandon Fisher with the USDA, pitched tents, enjoyed a delicious dinner of burgers, hot dogs, and s'mores, and wrapped up the day with a game of touch football. We depend on the generosity of supporters like you to continue offering transformative STEM experiences. Your contributions are vital for sustaining and growing our impactful programs. Please visit bit.ly/supportsankofa2024 to ensure our programs continue making a difference.

Don't just think about it - be about it. What better way to celebrate Juneteenth than to make a donation? Andre's Online Open House ends on June 30 ⬇⬇⬇ https://lnkd.in/gDDZmQYT

Last Wednesday, we kicked off our staff orientation for Sankofa STEM Academy at LINCup Grand Rapids with a feast of amazing Jamaican cuisine from The Jamaican Way (details at the end of the video). Our staff enjoyed every bite of fried plantains, jerk and curry chicken, beef patties, and flavorful rice. At STEM Greenhouse, we prioritize supporting small, Black-owned businesses to meet our organization's needs, and we challenge you to do the same. Consider this: You're planning your 57th corporate meeting of the month and need to order breakfast for 50. Where are you going to order from? While it might be more cost-efficient to go with a large, well-known provider, ordering from a small, local business can have a far more transformative impact. #shoplocal #supportsmallbusiness #shopblackowned #stemeducation

Are You a Business Leader? We're Calling You Out! Do you own a business? Are you a VP or a Director of something? It's time to step up. Your influence can bridge the STEM education gap, foster diverse talent, and future-proof your workforce. Discover why championing STEM literacy isn't just good business—it's essential for innovation and equity. Let’s make a lasting impact together. Read more and join the conversation about how executive action can transform our future. #stemeducation #csuite

🌟 🤝 Aquinas College - Grand Rapids offers *EmpowerED Futures: Aquinas Pathways to Success* 🔬 Excited to host the #SankofaSTEMAcademy again at Aquinas' state-of-the-art Albertus Magnus #HallofScience, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with STEM Greenhouse, Keli Christopher, Ph.D. and their incredible team of teachers, mentors and coaches, to help create a vibrant, safe and engaging learning environment where students can explore their academic #interests and #passions, develop new #skills, and build lasting #friendships. 🎓 Earlier this week, Aquinas faculty and staff, including Chad Gunnoe, Rebecca Penny Humphrey, Jessica Bowen and Esperanza Garcia extended a warm welcome to the Sankofa group, while also sharing highlights about *EmpowerED Futures: Aquinas Pathways to Success*, a tailored college preparatory enrichment program that complements the Sankofa STEM Academy throughout the summer. 💡 *EmpowerED Futures* features interactive and engaging presentations by Aquinas faculty, staff and students, that cover a broad spectrum of college-related topics from Admissions, Academic Advising, and Financial Aid to Community-Engaged Learning, Scholarships, Research Opportunities, Career Services, Athletics, and so much more! Sankofa students gain access to information and valuable insights about college life, while also learning about academic and co-curricular programs, resources and student support services that are an integral part of Aquinas' Liberal Arts education. 💰 Thanks to generous grants from the Wege Foundation and LMCU this program contributes to closing the achievement gap by providing underserved students with access to quality STEM education and resources, while also inspiring them to dream big, pursue their interests in STEM fields, and prepare them for success in higher education and beyond. #CommunityPartnerships #STEMEducation #EmpowerEDFutures #YouthEmpowerment #ItTakesAVillage #MakingADifference